Les Amarreurs playground to get more dog ban signs

There have been increasing concerns that the legally-enforceable ban is not being respected, according to Vale senior constable Richard Leale.

‘We’re simply asking people to respect the law and to be good neighbours,’ he said.

‘The ban is there for a good reason as well as basic hygiene and it is disappointing this sensible precaution is being ignored on what seems a daily basis.’

Regardless of how well-behaved a dog may seem, Mr Leale said, the risk that it could injure a child always remained.

‘The prohibition on dogs, apart from guide dogs, isn’t us being killjoys,’ he added.

‘We have had the equipment designed and installed to UK regulations to meet stringent safety requirements and animals have no place in such an environment.’

He said more signage would be installed from ratepayer funds, with the potential of asking special constables to police the existing legislation.

‘I’m reluctant to go that far and would far rather that pet owners recognised their obligations and left their dogs outside the play area. We’ll see what persuasion does first.

‘There’s more than enough space for dogs on the rest of the common and I really do urge users to respect the right of children to play at Les Amarreurs without the risk of being bitten by an over-excited animal.’

Although not a frequent visitor to the playground, Steve Le Tocq, who was spending time there with his two-year-old granddaughter Ava, said he would be concerned if there were dogs in the playground as Ava was scared of them.

‘We don’t come here often as a family so I haven’t really had a problem,’ he said.

‘We would have to hold on to the little one if we saw them.’

Also at the playground was parent Joey Le Maitre, who had not seen any dogs there recently.

‘We do usually go to Saumarez Park but I don’t think dogs should be at the park,’ he added.